The Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ 13U AAA, 12U AAA and 11U AAA teams all celebrated titles in their respective divisions at this year’s California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) Tier I State Championships, which were showcased from March 1-3 at Great Park Ice in Irvine.
Led by head coach Jack Bowkus, the 13U AAA team put together a 2-1-1 record at states, including a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in Sunday’s finale.
The 2005 birth year squad opened its weekend on Friday with a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Jr. Sharks, followed by a 3-2 shootout loss to the Jr. Ducks.
The next day, the Jr. Kings downed the Jr. Sharks, 4-1, setting up Sunday’s deciding game against the Jr. Ducks.
Under the direction of head coach Brett Beebe, the 12U AAA team forged a 4-1 record at states, including a 5-1 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in Sunday’s deciding game.
The 2006 birth year squad, which last weekend celebrated the Pee Wee AAA division championship at the famed Quebec Pee Wee International Tournament, opened its weekend on Friday with a 9-1 triumph over San Jose, followed by a 4-1 loss to the Jr. Ducks.
The next day, the Jr. Kings blanked the Jr. Sharks, 10-0, before doing the same to the Jr. Ducks, 5-0, setting up Sunday’s deciding game.
Led by head coach Jeff Turcotte, the Jr. Kings’ 11U AAA team (pictured) fashioned a perfect 4-0 record in its division, including a 1-0 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in Sunday’s championship game.
The 2007-born team began its state title run on Friday with a 3-1 victory over the Jr. Sharks, followed by a 6-4 win over Anaheim. On Saturday, the Jr. Kings downed the Jr. Sharks again, 7-3, setting up Sunday’s final matchup with the Jr. Ducks.
Last month in Irvine, the Jr. Kings’ 16U AAA team, also led by Turcotte, celebrated the CAHA state title in its division.
States marks the end of the season for the 13U AAA, 12U AAA, 11U AAA squads; the Jr. Kings' 16U AAA, 15U AAA and 14U AAA teams advanced to this year’s Pacific District Championships to play for the right to compete in April’s USA Hockey National Championships.
The 16 and James Gasseau-led 15 teams will play their districts in Irvine from March 6-10, while the Shawn Pitcher-coached 14 squad will head to Las Vegas over the same weekend.
